HC Deb 23 February 1989 vol 147 c762W
Mr. George

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much is spent by his Department on private security firms performing services at immigration detention centres at Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester airports, for each year since 1985; and how many firms are involved.

Mr. Renton

Group 4 Total Security Ltd. holds the sole contract for the provision of orderly and escort services for persons detained under the Immigration Act 1971 in the immigration detention centres at Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester. There is no longer a detention centre at Birmingham airport.

The contract was let to Group 4 Total Security Ltd. with effect from 31 December 1988 following competitive tenders. Between 1 July 1970 and 30 December 1988 the contract was held by Securicor Ltd. The cost of the services is a matter of commercial and contractual confidentiality which it would not be right to disclose.